LONGWELL GREEN WI
Bernard Purrier, representing the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Charity, skilfully delivered a presentation on a serious matter whilst making it entertaining, highlighting the dedicated research and scientific work that is undertaken to protect these amazing sea creatures.
Dolphins are intelligent marine mammals sharing similarities with humans. It is reported that dolphins would often be found between survivors and sharks in the sea and people on airbeds have been pushed back to shore. The next time you go to the beach and you decide to swim far out to sea, make sure there are dolphins around!
For male dolphins to attract a female dolphin for mating, one behaviour is to pick up a strand of seaweed around its beak and wait for the female to pick it up.
Dolphins are also playful mammals. A young dolphin will find a puffer fish, squeeze it to release the toxin, to give the young male dolphin a high. The puffer fish is unharmed in the process.
In cloudy or murky water, they will use echolocation, a form of sonar to “see” and find food as well as to avoid predators. They also have a unique sleep pattern where one half of their brain rests while the other half remains awake. This allows them to continue breathing and be aware of their surroundings.
The Blue Whale is the largest living creature on the planet with a life span of 80-90 years; the female blue whales tend to live five years longer. A newborn blue whale will be typically 20-26 feet long and weigh around 35-42 stone. It can gain 200 pounds a day and stays with its mother for about six to seven months, nearly doubling its length and reaching on average about 52 feet long, during this time.
To give an idea of the size of an adult blue whale, its heart is roughly the size of a small car e.g. a Smart car, and a small child could swim through its blood vessels. It can eat Krill (shrimp like animals) amounting to the size of a fully grown elephant a day.
The threat to dolphins and whales includes water pollution, plastic, strandings, climate change and being entangled in nets. In addition, the practice of commercial whaling still exists. It is important for charities and organisations to protect these beautiful sea creatures.
A Craft Day was held making dreamcatchers, a noticeboard, paper flowers, painted wooden bangles and tissue holders.
Fourteen members attended having great fun, aided by helpers organising the event, and homemade cakes were provided by some ladies to end the day. The next craft day will be held later in the year on 29 November making Christmas-themed items.
The Friends and Family Walk resumed on Sunday 22 June. Seven members attended with one bringing their pet dog, Crumble, along for the six-mile walk, which took place around South Stoke and Midford passing through villages, valleys and woodland. Members stopped half way for refreshments and drink which was worked off with an uphill walk near the end!
To mark 110 years of the WI, a “Party in the Park” celebration will be held at the Community Centre in Bitton on 13th August. The event will include a specially designed homemade cake, food, drinks and cocktails, music and, if feasible, hiring an ice cream van.
We have lots of groups that our members can participate in. There are book clubs, walking groups, knitting group, skittles and social suppers. On the first Thursday of the month, we meet at The Chapel Coffee Shop in Longwell Green for Tea and Chat.
Longwell Green WI’s monthly meetings are held on the third Friday of the month at 7.30 pm at the Longwell Green Community Centre and new members are always welcome. If you are interested, get in touch by email at longwellwi@gmail.com, telephone 0117 9864782 or come along on the evening.
Kamann Huang